● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
e: A Customizable Emacs-like Text Editor Written in Chez Scheme
Key points
- e is a console text editor written in Chez Scheme.
- It features Emacs-like concepts but is not a direct clone.
- The editor supports hot-reloading of modules and is self-contained.
- It has no dependencies beyond Chez Scheme and a Unix-like terminal.
Introduction to 'e' Editor
A new console text editor, simply called 'e', has been developed using Chez Scheme. This editor incorporates several features familiar to Emacs users, including buffers, windows, a kill ring, incremental search, and a Scheme top-level for interaction. It aims to adopt core Emacs ideas while maintaining a small and focused design.
Architectural Design and Customization
The editor is structured as a Scheme system, where everything functions as an R6RS library. It consists of a minimal core with an immutable API, and extension modules built upon it, such as syntax modes and editing helpers. This design allows for customization, with M-x evaluating Scheme expressions against the editor's live top-level, complete with symbol completion and history.
Hot-Reloading and Self-Contained Operation
A notable feature of 'e' is its support for hot-reloading modules. Saving a module's source within the editor reloads it into the running session, and changes made externally are picked up via `reload-module!`. The editor is self-contained, requiring only Chez Scheme and a Unix-like terminal, with no build or installation steps beyond a simple checkout. It compiles libraries on first start and subsequent starts are fast.
Installation and Portability
Users can install 'e' as a personal editor or vendor it within a project. Each installation is self-contained, with the loader using local libraries and compiled objects. This ensures that project-specific modules remain local to that project, enhancing portability and avoiding dependency conflicts. The editor also provides detailed instructions for specific environments, such as FreeBSD, to ensure compatibility.
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Primary sources
GitHub cmc_internal/api GitHub github/collect GitHub paveluv/e GitHub _private/browser GitHub get-started/accessibility GitHub open-source/sponsorsReporting from
A new console text editor named 'e' has been released, built with Chez Scheme, offering Emacs-like features such as buffers, windows, and a Scheme top-level. This editor is designed for customization and self-contained operation, appealing to developers who prefer Scheme-based tools and a minimal footprint.